What To Do After A Car Accident - CHECKLIST Moments immediately after a car accident, truck accident, or motorcycle accident are more often than not highly emotional and often confusing. But no matter the severity or circumstances surrounding the collision and its aftermath someone not seriously injured in the crash must begin dealing with the critical matters at hand.
Safety comes first and when lives, health, and well-being are at stake. If you are a driver in the accident here five basic things to do "right after the crash."
Stop the engine of your vehicle and turn on your hazard lights - do not move your vehicle unless it is obstructing traffic and can be moved safely. If you have to move your vehicle do it on the safer side of the road but nearest the accident location as possible.
Dial 911 and report if anyone, including yourself, is injured or if there is a fire, fuel leak, or auto parts on the roadway that may be a threat to oncoming traffic. If there are no serious injuries or cause for emergency assistance call the police to report the accident. California state law requires its drivers to report all roadway accidents unless damages are obviously less than $750.
Be sure your hazard lights are on ... if you have cones, warning sign triangles, or flares ... use them.
Get away from the accident scene and roadway area and stay clear of traffic. Every year many pedestrian deaths and injuries occur near the accident scene following an auto accident.
Use-Check Your Emergency Kit. You should have an emergency kit that includes medical supplies, tape, bandages ... all the basics plus your medical alert card. It should also include a pen a paper for notes, and a disposable camera (with good batteries!).
If someone has just been hurt in a car accident the time to act is now, not tomorrow, not later ... right now! The singular point of this article is this: Do everything possible now to make sure serious medical needs are dealt with immediately and completely.
BEYOND MEDICAL ATTENTION AFTER AN AUTO ACCIDENT
Beyond immediate medical attention there are also some important things you can do to begin bringing order to these trying circumstances. If you are the driver in an auto accident your actions at the time of the crash and in the coming days have significant consequence. It's important to detail the facts about the collision, too, in addition to reporting and documenting your injuries. Here is a list of things to remember:
Make sure the police officer at the scene completes a thorough and accurate accident report. Do not sign off on an incomplete or incomplete report. If there is not an officer at the accident scene you still must fill out a vehicle accident form and these can be obtained and completed at your local police station or motor vehicle department or state department of motor vehicles Website.
Collect the names and addresses or any and all drivers, passengers, or bystanders at the scene of your accident. Make the police officer interviews all witnesses to your accident, reports their comments, and documents their names and phone numbers.
Collect the driver licence numbers, make and model year of vehicles in the accident, vehicle registration and tag numbers, and insurance information from all those involved in the collision.
Collect the names and badge numbers of the police and paramedics at the accident scene, and note plates or numbers on the ambulance, police car, and other emergency vehicles.
Observe the accident scene and take pictures. Don't forget your cell phone likely takes pictures. Take a look and photograph your vehicle damage from various angles if you can. Then consider taking photo's of the crash scene. With today's technology, with cell phones and cameras with built-in video and recording, you could ask permission to photograph or even interview witnesses. One piece of advice, ask one question, "What is your name and what did you see?"
Act cool, calm, and collected as possible. Even if you are at fault try and act with dignity and respect. If you accidentally hit an unattended car, truck, or motorcycle California state law requires that you leave a note with your name, address, phone number, vehicle registration number, and date and time of the collision.
If you have to call a towing company find out the cost then specify where your vehicle is to be taken. Don't forget to write down the tower's name, phone number, driver license, and registration numbers before they tow your vehicle.
As time lapses memories have a tendency in some instances to become more and more distorted. When you arrive home make your own notes and pencil sketching, or diagram, of the accident. Write down what speed you were traveling and explain what course of events took place leading up to the accident. Illustrate best you can where other auto's, trucks, pedestrians, stop lights, and so on, were located at the accident scene area.
Don't discuss who is at fault with drivers or passengers at the accident scene even if you think you may have caused or were responsible for the accident.
You should provide the other parties involved in the crash with your insurance information. Don't try and negotiate repair or medical bills directly with the accident parties or give a recorded statement about the accident. If you are asked to do so, even by your own insurance agent, you should seek a legal opinion.
Do not accept an insurance settlement without knowing what you or your loves medical conditions or medical costs may be. Seek the free advice of an experienced automobile accident attorney if you have been offered a settlement.
First find out what your insurance covers. Towing? Rental Car? What are your insurance policy limits?
You don't have to use the body shop recommended by your insurance company. They may, in fact, be one and the same. But if not do not cheat yourself. Get your car back to full restoration. Remember, this is one of the primary reasons you purchased auto insurance.
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AUTO ACCIDENT CHECKLIST
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